On average, approximately 2.5 complications per patient were reported. Most patients had a maximum of three complications during Herbst treatment. Herbst appliance type (RMS or HC) and fixation mode (crowns or Grip Tite bands) did not influence the number of complications. The PMA (without screws) telescopic system seemed to be more reliable (regarding the number of complications) than Dentaurum type 1, regardless of the appliance design (RMS or HC).

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Herbst appliance on the proclination and protrusion of the lower incisors, and to verify if the device causes alveolar bone loss in the anterior region of the mandible. This is a retrospective study. The sample consisted of 35 individuals. The treatment group consisted of 22 individuals (8 girls and 14 boys; initial mean age of 8.2 years) who used the Cantilever Herbst appliance for a period of 12 months. The control group consisted of 13 individuals (3 girls and 10 boys; initial mean age of 8.9 years) who received no treatment and were followed up for a period of approximately 18 months. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were performed at the beginning and at the end of the observational period. The medullary bone thickness (MT), buccal cortical bone thickness (BCT), lingual cortical bone thickness (LCT), and lower incisors proclination and protrusion were evaluated. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (ANCOVA and Student’s t-test) with a significance level of 5%. There was no significant difference in MT, BCT, LCT and incisor proclination between groups. Incisor proclination increased in the treated group with no statistical significance. The treatment group showed a significant increase in the protrusion of the incisors (p = 0.02). The Herbst appliance promoted a small proclination and protrusion of the lower incisors, without relevant clinical implications. The Herbst appliance did not cause bone loss in the anterior region of the mandible during Class II treatment.